Tell Verizon: Stop Attacking the Middle Class

Update 8/21/11: As of Tuesday, August 23, 2011, 45,000 striking Verizon workers have returned to work. While bargaining on the major remaining issues is ongoing, workers will be protected for an indefinite period under the terms of their existing collective bargaining agreement. Thank you to everyone who supported our efforts and helped make this possible.

Right now, 45,000 Verizon workers are on strike to stop the attack on the middle class.

The reason? Despite record profits, Verizon is refusing to bargain about the outrageous cuts it wants to force on its workers.

In the last four years alone, Verizon made billions in profits and compensated their top five executives more than a quarter of a billion dollars. But apparently that's not enough.

Verizon's proposals would cut healthcare benefits for retirees, slash sick days, and eliminate benefits for workers who get hurt on the job. They even want to increase the number of jobs they outsource and send overseas, all in an attempt to increase already sky-high profits.

And now Verizon won't even engage in serious negotiations at the bargaining table.

That's why 45,000 CWA and IBEW members walked out on Sunday, August 7th to force Verizon to abandon its Wisconsin-style tactics and negotiate.

America has had enough of corporate greed. Now is the time for Verizon to do the right thing and come to the bargaining table in good faith instead of trying to kill the American Dream for 45,000 middle-class workers.

45,000 Verizon workers are on strike to stop the attack on the middle class, and they need our support.

Take action now: tell Verizon CEO Lowell McAdam to stop Verizon’s attack on the middle class and share his company’s successes with those who made it possible.

Letter to

CEO, VerizonLowell McAdam

I stand in solidarity with the 45,000 workers who are on strike.

Over the past four years alone, Verizon has made billions in profits while paying its top five executives $250 million in compensation and bonuses. It’s outrageous that you are demanding huge givebacks from workers at the same time.

With middle-class families already struggling, it’s time for Verizon to share its success with the hardworking Americans who made it possible. This is not a time for corporate greed. It is time to do the right thing.

Verizon kicked off bargaining with dramatic concessionary demands and has not budged. And you continue to refuse to bargain seriously with the CWA and the IBEW.

That’s why 45,000 of your employees aren’t at work but will return once you agree to bargain fairly.

Please drop your unfair demands and return to the bargaining table to negotiate a new contract in good faith.